Apparatus for improved security

Abstract

An apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects. Embodiments provide an apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects in workspace drawers, where the apparatus may be mounted in a portion of a drawer to secure some objects while maintaining convenient access to other unsecured items in the same drawer. The apparatus has one or more engagement features which protrude from its body or housing to engage an interior surface of the drawer. The engagement features may disengage the drawer for removal of the apparatus only when it is placed in an unsecured state (e.g., when it is able to receive objects to be secured), thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the apparatus from the drawer. As such, the apparatus provides a convenient and effective means for securing objects by limiting access to secured items while still maintaining functionality of the drawer and access to unsecured items.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]As technology continues to advance, the need for improved security is also increasing. For example, where money was once the most valuable item carried by people, the average person now carries around portable electronics with a combined value that far exceeds the amount of money carried in the wallet. As such, these valuable items are prime targets for theft when left unattended, for example at a desk or workstation, and should be secured. However, convenient and effective security measures around desks, workstations and / or offices can be improved.[0002]For example, although locking desk drawers are somewhat common, they have proven to be both inconvenient and ineffective. For example, since accessible drawer space at a given workstation is limited, items which are less valuable and often more commonly-used are placed in the same drawer with more valuable items. As such, when the drawer is locked to secure the more valuable items, access to the comm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects. More specifically, embodiments provide an apparatus, device and enclosure for securing objects in workspace drawers, where the apparatus may be mounted in a portion of a drawer to secure some objects while maintaining convenient access to other unsecured items in the same drawer. For example, the apparatus may be mounted in a file drawer to accept both small and large items such that files in the drawer may still be accessed. The apparatus has one or more engagement features which protrude from its body or housing to engage an interior surface of the drawer. The engagement features may disengage the drawer for removal of the apparatus only when it is placed in an unsecured state (e.g., when it is able to receive objects to be secured), thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the apparatus from the drawer. As such, the apparatus provides a convenient and effective means for securing objects by limiting access to secured items while still maintaining functionality of the drawer and access to unsecured items.

[0006]In one embodiment, an apparatus for securing objects includes a housing for storage of the objects, where the housing is sized for mounting within a drawer and having an opening for receiving the objects. A lock mechanism is operable to limit access to said objects within the housing. The apparatus also includes at least one member coupled to the housing and for reducing movement of the housing with respect to the drawer when the housing is interposed in the drawer. And in one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a door coupled with the housing and for closing the opening, wherein the lock mechanism is operable to secure the door to the housing such that the access to the objects is limited.

Problems solved by technology

For example, although locking desk drawers are somewhat common, they have proven to be both inconvenient and ineffective.

For example, since accessible drawer space at a given workstation is limited, items which are less valuable and often more commonly-used are placed in the same drawer with more valuable items.

As such, when the drawer is locked to secure the more valuable items, access to the commonly-used items is also restricted.

Accordingly, locking valuable items becomes burdensome given the number of times that the drawer must be locked and unlocked to keep the items secure and provide access to other commonly-used items in the drawer.

And further, given the increased frequency of locking and unlocking the drawer, the probability of a person forgetting to lock the drawer increases, thereby subjecting valuable items to an increased chance of theft.

Thus, locking drawers may be inconvenient, which may make them ineffective given that people either choose not to use them or forget to lock them.

The problems discussed above with respect to a single drawer are therefore exacerbated as access to even more commonly-used items is restricted.

Thus, an average workstation provides inconvenient means for securing valuable items, which in turn renders the security measures ineffective through lack of use as discussed above.

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